FEND, verb transitive [The root of defend and offend. The primary sense is to fall on, or to strike, to repel.] To keep off; to prevent from entering; to ward off; to shut out. With fern beneath to fend the bitter cold. It is usually followed by off; as, to fend off blows. To fend off a boat or vessel, is to prevent its running against another, or against a wharf, etc., with too much violence. FEND, verb intransitive To act in opposition; to resist; to parry; to shift off.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI